# Cryptogram vs Clue Master

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Cryptogram at 241K against Clue Master's 28K. Cryptogram also leads on chart position (#34 vs #126). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cryptogram sells 20 one-off in-app purchases and Clue Master sells 23 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Cryptogram against 4.6 for Clue Master. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cryptogram has 241K ratings behind it against 28K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 22% of Cryptogram's written reviews are positive against 27% of Clue Master's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cryptogram | Clue Master |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (241K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-brain-puzzle/id1644099880/reviews)** | [4.6 (28K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clue-master-logic-puzzles/id6608973267/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **241K** | 28K |
| Positive reviews | 21.7% of reviews | **26.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#34** | #126 |
| Size | 369 MB | 315 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | +12 | 12+ |
| Developer | [Joyteractive Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1709316809) | [Lion Studios Plus](https://appshunter.io/developer/1610194568) |

## What reviewers say

### Cryptogram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptogram-word-brain-puzzle/id1644099880)

**Currently charting:** #34 Top Free · Word, #52 Top Grossing · Word (US App Store)

Engage your mind with a logic game that challenges you to decode secret messages and solve word puzzles. Uncover famous quotes and tackle increasingly difficult challenges in a fun, brain-exercising experience.

**Highlights:** Decode secret messages, Solve word puzzles, Uncover famous quotes, Logic challenges, Increasing difficulty, Variety of puzzle types

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Pack of Hints | $1.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 20 SmallPackSale | $1.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 20 SmallPack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Hint Pack: Cryptogram Puzzles | $2.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Piggy Bank | $2.99 | one-time |
| Regular offer | $3.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (7 days) | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (7days) | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ad-Free: Cryptogram Puzzles | $4.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (14 days) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Big Hints Pack: Cryptogram | $5.99 | one-time |
| Skipit 8 | $5.99 | one-time |
| VIP status | $5.99 | one-time |
| No Ads (30 days) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Regular Offer | $7.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Regular offer | $19.99 | one-time |
| Super Pack | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun and challenging puzzles
- 🧠 Engaging brain exercise
- 📚 Variety of categories and themes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💢 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 🔍 Small/hard-to-read numbers
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔋 Battery draining issues

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzles getting stuck or resetting progress
- Clue/hint feature not working properly
- Compatibility issues on some devices

**Requested features**

- Option to remove ads for a fee
- Dark mode for easier reading
- Ability to replay past puzzles
- Improved accuracy of quotes and attributions


### Clue Master

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clue-master-logic-puzzles/id6608973267)

**Currently charting:** #126 Top Grossing · Word (US App Store)

Engage in challenging logic puzzles and brain games to solve mysteries, identify criminals, and uncover secrets. Navigate complex relationships and gather clues to bring justice.

**Highlights:** Immersive logic puzzles, Navigate betrayal and loyalty, Heart-pounding mysteries, Strategic clue gathering, Intense crime-solving missions, Diverse gameplay inspired by IQ tests, Captivating storyline and characters

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (23)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coin1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Daily Challenge Pass | $1.99 | one-time |
| Escape Room Pass | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hint Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Open all gifts | $2.99 | one-time |
| Hammer Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ingot Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Booster Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Revive Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Piggy Bank | $4.99 | one-time |
| Detective's Toolkit | $4.99 | one-time |
| Chain Offer 1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Daily Challenge Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Investigator Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Detective's Toolkit | $6.99 | one-time |
| Permanent no ads pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Coin2 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Sherlock's Toolkit | $9.99 | one-time |
| Permanent No-Ads | $10.99 | one-time |
| No Ads Pack | $12.99 | one-time |
| No Ads Pack (60 days) | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Fun and addictive gameplay
- 🧠 Challenging logic puzzles
- 🏙️ Enjoyable town-building feature
- 👍 Minimal ads at lower levels

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive ad-removal subscription
- 🐛 Incorrect or misleading clues
- 🔁 Repetitive levels after a certain point
- 📢 Excessive ads, especially at higher levels
- 🤔 Confusing neighbor/criminal logic

**Reported bugs**

- Random tab openings leading to other websites
- Difficulty level drops significantly after certain levels
- Inconsistent behavior of innocent/criminal indicators

**Requested features**

- More varied and randomly generated puzzles
- Permanent ad-removal option
- Better feedback/scoring for perfect puzzle completion
- Improved tutorial and clue explanations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cryptogram free?

Cryptogram is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Clue Master free?

Clue Master is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Cryptogram or Clue Master?

Cryptogram is rated higher. Cryptogram averages 4.6 out of 5 from 241K ratings, while Clue Master averages 4.6 from 28K ratings.

### Do Cryptogram or Clue Master have ads?

Both Cryptogram and Clue Master show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cryptogram or Clue Master?

Cryptogram ships an update every 3 weeks, and Clue Master every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cryptogram was updated on October 26, 2026 and Clue Master on October 26, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Cryptogram or Clue Master?

Cryptogram currently peaks at #34 in the App Store charts, and Clue Master at #126. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*